Mrs. Warren’s Profession follows the story of Vivie Warren, who discovers that her mother, Mrs. Warren, has made her living in the world’s oldest profession to provide for Vivie’s life of luxury and education. As Vivie grapples with this revelation, she confronts her mother about their differing values, their conflicting views on femininity, independence, and societal expectations.

Mrs Warren’s Profession is a provocative play by the renowned Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. Premiered in 1893, but banned for its controversial subject matter, the play challenges the prevailing moral attitudes of its time and the economic constraints faced by women in the Victorian era. Shaw’s witty observations and biting social commentary make Mrs Warren’s Profession a thought-provoking classic that was decades ahead of its time.

SHAW2020 deliver a fresh perspective to this work, setting the action in the 1930’s, an era when women’s continued struggles against a patriarchal society was offset by a sense of twentieth century empowerment on the horizon.

SHAW2020 are an award-winning theatre company exploring the theatre and writings of Bernard Shaw. They are winners of a London Pub Theatres ‘Standing Ovation’ award in 2021 and ‘Best Show’ at the Birmingham Fringe Festival in 2022 for their production of Shaw’s Village Wooing.

This production is sponsored by the Shaw Society, a charitable organisation dedicated to promoting the legacy and appreciation of George Bernard Shaw’s contributions to literature and theatre. The collaboration between SHAW2020 and the Shaw Society underscores their commitment to keeping Shaw’s legacy alive, engaging modern audiences with the enduring themes embedded in his work.

“It’s wonderful to see Shaw’s plays being kept alive, and to such a high standard by SHAW2020. Long may they continue.” Dame Judi Dench, Honorary Vice-President of The Shaw Society